blogging since '03.

The world of football has gone mad this week because of the whole FIFA thing, so people have only kept one eye on the managers and players moving all over the place…

This man, Jurgen Klopp, the target of many a club, has decided to take a break from football ‘until further notice’, squashing Liverpool and Manchester City’s hopes of snapping him up to replace Brendan Rodgers and Manuel Pellegrini respectively. Both of the managers are under pressure and although Rodgers has been given more time by the Liverpool owners, Pellegrini’s position is in serious doubt, although he claims he is going to stay put.

Carlo Ancelotti is also a free agent after he left Real Madrid following a trophy-less season. Rafa Benitez has been announced as the new Real Madrid boss. Ancelotti turned down a move to AC Milan, so a return to the Premier League may be on the cards.

West Ham parted company with Sam Allardyce and were interested in Klopp, but it is unlikely that they turn their attentions to Ancelotti as they have drawn up a four man shortlist of Ajax’s Frank de Boer, Marcelo Biesla of Marseille (possibly their main target), unemployed Slaven Bilic and Unai Emery, in charge of Sevilla – who they are speaking to possibly right now.

Newcastle United, also managerless after Jon Carver’s reign flopped miserably, ended their interest in Patrick Viera so now Steve McLaren, unemployed after being replaced by Paul Clement at Derby, is the big favourite to land the job.

Also, Sunderland have no boss after Dick Advocaat retired once he led them to Premier League survival. Sean Dyche of Burnley is favourite, whilst PSV’s Phillip Cocu and Frankfurt boss Armin Veh have also been linked.

Now transfer news for every top 6 Premier League club…

Arsenal: Arsenal are set to lose out on a deal for James Milner after they decided not to match Liverpool’s offer of £150,000 a week. Theo Walcott, however, wants to stay at Arsenal and ongoing contract talks don’t look likely to break down, which is very good considering his superb end-of-season performances. Lukas Podolski seems to be on his way out of the club with a move to Galatasaray looking likely. Koscielny has been linked with Real Madrid, and Monreal has been linked with Bilbao, but Arsenal aren’t keen on selling either of them. Arsenal fans and legends have called for a big signing, and Petr Cech could be snapped up to fill the goalkeeping position that has troubled Arsene Wenger. Morgan Schneiderlin is also a target, as is Higuain (who has also been linked with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United) and Julian Draxler (also less of a possibility), but Wenger has crushed hopes of Arturo Vidal coming to the Emirates. Finally, the Gunners are preparing a £25 million bid for Geoffrey Kondogbia of Monaco.

Chelsea: I can only imagine the worried look on Chelsea faces when I tell you that Diego Costa is rumoured to have told friends he wants to return to Spain – however, both the striker and his manager have denied this. Chelsea always send squadfuls of players out on loan and Christian Atsu has began that tradition this season by joining Bournemouth. With Didier Drogba leaving, Chelsea need a replacement and Jose Mourinho has always admire Ramadel Falcao (pictured), but he might have to fight off interest from Zenit St Petersburg to get the job done. Christian Benteke is also an option, but Liverpool appear the front-runners in the race to sign the Belgian with the £32.5 million buy-out clause. Enner Valencia has also attracted interest from the West London club. Moussa Sissoko is convinced he is being monitored by the Chelsea camp and he would be delighted if they made a formal approach. Toby Alderweireld is a potential replacement for underachieving Felipe Luis, and Atletico would be willing to let him go. Finally, Juan Cuadrado has been underwhelming (understatement of the century) this season and has been linked away from England.

Liverpool: Brendan Rodgers is staying at Anfield and has already lined up some big signings – James Milner is likely to join as he is out of contract at Man City and Liverpool are the highest bidders. Danny Ings and Christian Benteke are also very possible signings, however there are reports that Liverpool are not willing to meet the £32.5 million buy-out clause. A £10 million bid for Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne was rejected but now the reds are probably going to make an improved bid in the region of £15-25 million. Carlos Bacca is also a target but the Colombian striker may cost over £20 million. Alexandre Lacazette has snubbed Liverpool, claiming he will only leave Lyon for a Champions League club. Mario Balotelli is tipped to leave along with plenty of other players in a summer clear-out, but Raheem Sterling has generated the most rumours. I can tell you that Liverpool rejected an enquiry from Manchester United (of all clubs!), and with Arsenal tying up Walcott for the future Chelsea, Man City and Real Madrid look the only likely destinations for the speedy winger, after Benitez sais he ‘admires’ Sterling. Finally, David Marshall, 30 year old goalkeeper for Cardiff, looks set to be offered a move back to the Premier League to replace wobbly goalie Simon Mignolet between the sticks.

Man City: After the departures of Scott Sinclair to Villa and Belgium defender Boyata to Celtic, it looks likely that more big names are on their way out of the club, with Sergio Aguero linked with Real Madrid and David Sliva could be replaced by Madrid’s Isco. One player staying, however, is Yaya Toure after a successful meeting with the City owners. Edin Dzeko has been linked with other Premier League clubs including Liverpool, where James Milner will join after his City decided against renewing his contract. Paul Pogba is likely to snub City for Barcelona, whilst Kevin de Bruyne is likely to stay at Wolfsburg after the green men from Germany rejected City’s enquiry.

Man Utd: Let’s start with incredible reports that Real Madrid have rejected an offer for Gareth Bale and Raphael Varane in the region of a whopping £110 million. Reports have suggested that Batsian Schweinsteiger is their main target, whilst Dani Alves may also be brought into the squad. Davide De Gea is on the verge of joining the Madrid giants so Hugo Lloris may be brought in as a replacement, though Mauricio Pochettino claims he is happy in North London. Petr Cech is also a possible replacement. Also, Joao Miranda of Atletico Madrid is a target for the Red Devils and for Chelsea. Robin Van Persie has dropped a hint that he will leave Manchester United, leaving them with a lack of forward players after Falcao was not snapped up permanently. They had an enquiry for Raheem Sterling rejected, which could possibly hint at Angel Di Maria leaving the club this summer, despite the £59.7 million they paid for him.

Tottenham: Tottenham could face an exodus this summer with Hugo Lloris, Erik Lamela, Roberto Soldado, Emmanuel Adebayor, Etiene Capoue and Paulinho all linked away from White Hart Lane. Danny Rose is also wanted by Manchester City and could go for the right price as Tottenham have Ben Davies as back-up. Mauricio Pochettino will, however, be given a net spend maximum of £30 million. Kevin Wimmer, a 22 year old defender, has already been brought in for a fee of around £4.3 million, and targets include strikers Christian Benteke and Danny Ings, to add to the likes of Giannelli Imbula and Pedro – Morgan Schneiderlin is Poch’s dream buy but a more realistic prospect is the signing of young midfielder Pedro Obiang, from Sampdoria. Sorry Spurs fans, but Harry Kane is surrounded by transfer rumours linking him with Manchester United, however the deal remains unlikely. Finally, they have stepped up their pursuit of Timothe Cognat of Lyon.